All dogs go through their ‘firsts’ just like we do. First steps, first kiss, first beer, first job – you get it. Holly has had her share of firsts, many of them documented in this blog. Firsts are fun. Firsts are adventurous. Firsts are meant to be remembered. This week, Kimber had a first – her first overnight without Mom! A big deal, for both Kimber and Lana! Kimber and Kooper were dropped off at my house by Lana on Wednesday morning, picked up on Thursday afternoon. The days were routine and filled with outdoor time, car rides, spa time (brushing & nailcare), time with DeeAnn and another first – a trip to the Harvey house to run in the backyard!
Nighttime brought the new experience. I could tell Kimber was getting a bit skeptical as the evening clicked along, especially when Holly was no longer in the house. Holly, by no coincidence, had a sleep-over with Keltie at the Harvey house. Holly is fortunate to have the likes of Kimber and Keltie in her life! Friendships of this sort are a gift and should be cherished. There are certain friends where the amount of fun you have sometimes needs managing. It’s the kind of friend where your teacher assigns each of you to sit on opposite sides of the room; your mother seats you in opposite pews in church; or your supervisor requests you sit at separate tables at a work conference. This would be Holly & Kimber, thus Holly was on the opposite side of town the night of Kimber’s sleepover, enjoying a separate pajama party with a separate friend.
As icing on the cake, at Kimber’s first sleepover she was allowed to sleep on the bed with Helen & I. Initially, she thought it was another playground, bouncing and romping trying to get Helen engaged. That went no where. As soon as I shut the light off, I could feel all her energy drain. Kimber simply went to the corner of the bed, plunked herself down and had a good night’s rest. She woke me up one time, nose to my face with a sense of urgency. We went downstairs, quickly. Once she was outside she took three steps and squatted about 20 seconds, turned and came directly into the house, then straight upstairs to curl up on the bed. No hesitation, she was going to bed – thee bed! In the morning, I opened an eye to check on her. She had her head up, staring at my bedroom walls. I made the mistake of repositioning myself. Once my head moved, the day had officially begun. Kimber was all over me, licking my face and pawing at my chest & arms! No need for a rooster with Kimber!
Holly and Kimber were reunited mid day and their play continued on a fresh new day. I stained a section of my fence, standing in my neighbor’s yard safely away from dogs but fully able to see all activity. Ivy came by the fenceline to visit, then into the yard so she could hold Helen. For over an hour, Ivy sat in the deck chair holding Helen and entertaining (or being entertained by) dogs, chatting with me periodically about school, summer and life. It was by far the most enjoyable time I have ever had staining a fence.
Remember those first experiences. Play hard. Stay productive. Get to know your neighbor. Get good rest. Keep summer simple.
Swarm
